How to Play Three Card Poker
3 CARD POKER
SITE PAGES

Home

Three Card Poker Topics
Hierarchy of Poker Hands
How to Play 3 Card Poker
3 Card Poker Strategy
3 Card Poker History

Where to Play
3 Card Poker Online
3 Card Poker Casinos
3 Card Poker Tournaments

Other Resources
3 Card Poker Glossary
3 Card Poker Books
3 Card Poker TV Guide
Relevant Sites
Site Map

READ THIS BEFORE YOU PLAY ONLINE

Did you know there are over 2000 casinos currently online? Be warned that not all casinos treat their players fairly. Before you sign up anywhere you need to make sure the casino you choose is licensed in the country it is registered and regulated by a watchdog organization like the IGC. Read my 3 Card Poker Online page to get the details.

How to Play Three Card Poker

Three Card Poker rules are fairly straightforward and easy to understand. Each game consists of two independent bets called PAIR PLUS and ANTE/PLAY. You may play either or both in any amount as long as you do not go over the house limits. In essence, 3 Card Poker is two games in one. To get a better understanding of this take a look at the Three Card Poker table layout below:

Three Card Poker Table Layout

Pair Plus
You will notice at the top of the 3 Card Poker table layout there is a Pair Plus circle. When you place a bet on Pair Plus you are basically betting against your own hand. If the hand you are dealt contains a pair or better you win. In many regards it is just like a slot machine. You put your money down, wait for the cards to be dealt and get paid according to a fixed pay schedule. For example, a Straight Flush pays 40 to 1 while Three of a Kind pays 30 to 1 all the way down to a Pair which pays 1 to 1. See the chart below for the complete pay table.

3 Card Poker Sample Pay Tables Ante and Play
Ante and Play (or Bet as it is called in the Three Card Poker table layout above) is unlike Pair Plus in that you are actually competing against the dealer's hand. To play you place your bet on the Ante circle which is your "fee" for getting dealt three cards. After viewing your hand, you must decide if you want to Fold (and lose your Ante) or Call (place another bet on the Play circle that equals your Ante and see the dealer's hand.) If you Call, your hand is now compared to the dealer's hand. The dealer must have a Queen or better to qualify. Here are the possible outcomes:

1. Dealer does not qualify: Ante wins 1 to 1, play bet is returned.
2.
Dealer qualifies and player beats dealer: Both Play and Ante win 1 to 1
3. Dealer qualifies and dealer beats player: Both Play and Ante lose.
4. Dealer qualifies and dealer ties player: Both Play and Ante push.

In addition, the Ante bet has an extra bonus that does not depend on the dealer's hand. (Much like the Pair Plus bet.) If you make the Ante and Play wager you can still win the bonus payout even if the dealer does not qualify and even if your hand loses to the dealer. You can see the complete pay table for the Ante Bonus on the chart above.

To get the hang of Three Card Poker rules, I recommend going to one of the casinos below and playing for free. It's a great way to practice and get a feel for the game.

Get Free 3 Card Poker Instruction Online
Play at Online Vegas and get the Las Vegas experience in the comfort of your own home. You will receive bonuses on your first 10 deposits up to $5,125! You will also gain entry into an exclusive slot tournament with a cash prize pool of $3,000. U.S. Players Welcome!

Go Casino offers the most ridiculous deposit bonus in the business. Get an unprecedented 100% deposit match on your first 20 deposits, and get up to $20,000 FREE! Also enjoy the best player rewards in the business like Weekly Cash Back and Free Weekly Comps. U.S. Players Welcome!

Enjoy full payout Las Vegas style Three Card Poker at Crazy Slots. New players enjoy a 100% first deposit match bonus up to $12,601. Not enough? Gain FREE entry into the first FOUR Tournaments of your choice. You will also receive an additional deposit bonus when using pre paid gift cards. U.S. Players Welcome!

© 2006-2010 Clay Collier. All Rights Reserved.